Tonight's expedition did not go as planned.
The location I selected was near the Narrows, so the current was a bit obnoxious. But on shore, barnacle-covered boulders that form the jetties which encircle the peninsula proved to be a hindrance. If unwinding the tether on a sandy beach was tedious, unwinding it on sharp wet rock was worse.
After burning out half my battery just struggling against the currents at 11m deep, I decided to recall the ROV and call it a night. Next time, I will find a boat or pier to launch my expeditions and also execute them during the slack tide to save battery.
This next clip is all that I recorded. At 1080p @ 60fps, this far more manageable format was much easier to process. In it, I demonstrate the superior image quality granted by the floodlight arms and the function of the scaling lasers. With the latter, I have estimated that this california sea cucumber is 20cm in total length (TL).
Baby steps. One day, these lasers will be landing upon the flank of the most beautiful Hexanchus griseus human eyes have ever witnessed.
Whenever I feel disappointed in my ventures, I must stop and think: "There is someone out there who is bananas about sea cucumbers and would love if this footage existed." And for that reason, I post. Whoever you are, enjoy (: